Tributes paid after death of former Winsford mayor Flo Hughes

Like so many Winsford people of her generation, Flo moved to the town in the early 1970s in search of a better life for herself and her family.

A former navy wife, she intrepidly travelled the word with husband Jim before settling back in the UK when his service came to end.

Flo enjoyed an long and happy marriage, which lasted until just a year ago, when husband Jim was suddenly taken ill on the couple’s 63rd wedding anniversary.

Flo and Jim at their wedding in Liverpool in 1959 (Image: Michelle Brough)

Flo’s daughter, Michelle Brough, said: “We’re all devastated, especially with mum and dad going so close together. We weren’t really expecting it to be honest. We all miss them both so much.

“Mum and dad did have 63 years together, so a lot of happy memories.

"She very much enjoyed her retirement and loved pottering about, doing bits and pieces here and there.”

Flo's official portrait as Winsford town mayor (Image: Michelle Brough)

Florence 'Flo' Ethel Hughes, nee Barton, was born in Liverpool in Jaunuary 1939.

She married her husband, Jim Hughes, in 1959, aged 20. Jim was in the navy, and their early life together was spend travelling wherever he was stationed, which included Gibraltar, where their daughter Debbie was born, and Ireland.

The couple moved to Winsford in 1971, a time when many Liverpool families were tempted by the prospect of well-paid factory work and better-quality housing.

Starting her life in the town working at ICL’s computer factory on Winsford Industrial Estate, Flo then went on to work as a machinist in clothing factories, and later, in meat processing factories.

Flo retired in 1990, due to ill health, but after a period of adjustment following a diagnosis of COPD, she went on to find plenty to fullful her. 

She became involved in local politics, both as a Winsford town councillor and a Vale Royal Borough Labour councillor for Wharton ward from 1999 onwards.

As a town councillor, Flo served two terms as mayor of Winsford, in 2003/04 and 2007/08.

Flo remained a great supporter of local causes right to the end of her life, particularly in her contributions to Winsford Town Council’s and the Salvation Army’s food bank collections.

Chester West and Winsford town councillor, Gina Lewis, who was Flo's colleague and friend, said: “Her whole purpose of being a councillor was to help other people. That’s what was important to her.

“She saw her role as representing people who couldn’t represent themselves.

“She was a real pillar of the community, and though she was very hard hit by Jim’s passing last year, she was still considering others right to the end.”

Flo lived independently at home until being admitted to Leighton Hospital, where she died on Easter Sunday, April 9.

She is survived by daugthers Debbie, Amanda, Michelle, as well as nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren. 

Her funeral will be held at Vale Royal Crematorium, Northwich, on Wednesday, April 26, at 11am. Her family have requested no flowers, but instead invite donations to Ward 6 at Leighton Hospital.